East Africa's second-largest economy has introduced a Golden Visa programme with an investment threshold of $10 million, the highest of any Golden Visa scheme in Africa. The announcement positions the country alongside Saudi Arabia, whose premium residency model the new programme explicitly follows.

The $10 million figure marks a significant departure from the pricing of comparable programmes across the African continent. Most African investment-residence schemes set their entry points far lower, which has made the region an accessible market for global investors seeking residence rights. With this move, the country has placed itself at the very top of the African scale — and beyond the reach of all but ultra-high-net-worth applicants.

What a Golden Visa offers

Golden Visa programmes grant long-term residence rights to foreign nationals in exchange for a qualifying investment, typically in real estate, business ventures, government funds, or deposits. Holders usually receive multi-year or renewable residence permits, and in some jurisdictions a route toward permanent status, along with benefits such as eased entry and exit, the right to live and work locally, and in some cases family sponsorship.

Saudi Arabia, the model cited for the new programme, launched its Premium Residency scheme in 2019. That system offers tiered options, including a permanent residency card priced at SAR 800,000 and an annually renewable variant at SAR 100,000, alongside an unlimited-investment track aimed at major capital commitments. By following this template, the East African state signals that it is targeting large-scale capital rather than volume applications.

Who is affected

The programme directly concerns ultra-high-net-worth individuals considering residence in East Africa's second-largest economy. For investors below the $10 million level, the key implication is that this particular route is closed to them, and they would need to examine the country's standard residence and investor-permit categories instead.

For regional competitors, the announcement reshapes the comparative picture. Countries offering residence at lower thresholds now hold a clear cost advantage for mid-tier investors, while the new entrant differentiates itself as an exclusive, high-value option.

Why governments adopt the model

Governments that introduce Golden Visa schemes generally pursue several objectives at once: attracting foreign direct investment, stimulating real estate and business activity, and generating non-tax revenue. High-threshold programmes narrow the applicant pool but concentrate larger capital inflows per approval, reducing administrative volume while maximising per-applicant value — the logic Saudi Arabia applied in designing its premium residency tiers.

The Saudi experiment has drawn both large inflows and criticism, and regulators in several countries have reviewed or tightened such schemes over concerns about capital origin and security vetting. How the new East African programme will handle due diligence and compliance has not yet been detailed publicly.

What applicants should watch next

Prospective applicants and advisers should monitor official announcements from the country's immigration and investment authorities for the implementing regulations. Key open questions include the qualifying asset classes, whether the threshold covers a single investment or cumulative holdings, permit duration and renewal terms, family inclusion rules, and any path to permanent residence or citizenship.

Until those implementing details are published, the $10 million figure and the Saudi-style framing remain the confirmed parameters of the programme. Readers should rely on official government sources for eligibility rules and application procedures, as secondary reporting may not reflect the final regulatory text.